Shelf Life of
Tofu

How Long Does Tofu Last?

How long does tofu last? Tofu is made from soybeans, which are soaked, ground, boiled and strained into soy milk, which is then curdled and pressed into blocks. Since tofu is plant based yet rich in protein and calcium it is a popular alternative to meat. It’s an especially good substitution for chicken because of it’s ability to soak in other flavors, therefore popular in many vegetarian dishes. The shelf life of tofu depends on a variety of factors, such as the sell by date, the preparation method and how the tofu was stored.

So, how long does tofu last?
When properly stored, the shelf life of tofu past its sell by date is approximately …

(Unopened)

Refrigerator

Freezer

Past Printed Date

Past Printed Date

Tofu lasts for

3-5 Days

3-5 Months

(Opened)

Refrigerator

Freezer

Tofu lasts for

3-5 Days after opening, regardless of date

3-5 Months

Of course, tall foods last for a shorter period of time if they are not stored properly. But remember proteins, usually has a sell by date and not an expiration date. That’s why you can safely use tofu to compliment your favorite meals even after the sell by date has lapsed if it was stored properly.

How to tell if tofu is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety discipline will help prevent food borne illness. Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your tofu has gone bad.
Some common traits of bad tofu are a change in color away from white toward a deeper tan and a sour smell. Fresh tofu does not really smell, so when you get the sour smell the taste will also be sour.
There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled tofu, so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your food prior its eat by date.

How to store tofu to extend its shelf life?

Proper food storage is the key to extending the expiration date of food. You can help keep tofu fresh longer by storing it in your refrigerator immediately after use. Once opened, tofu must remain covered in water that should be changed at least daily – preferably with filtered water.
Once prepared, tofu should be stored in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

For a long-term option, you can freeze your tofu while preserving its taste if you use a freezer safe container, best is to drain the water and wrap tightly with plastic wrap before placing in the freezer container. Defrosted tofu will have an altered texture, varying with the firmness of the tofu, which some people actually prefer.
Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

What if you have too much tofu about to expire and go bad?

If you purchased too much, don’t let it go bad. Simply brown the tofu with high heat, stirring constantly and then drain it and store it tightly covered in the fridge. You just extended it’s shelf life by another 3-5 days and it’s ready for a quick stir fry dish at a moment’s notice!

Interesting Facts about Tofu:

If tofu is purchased in an aseptic container on the grocery shelf, it can remain in your pantry until opened. Once opened, it must be refrigerated and it’s shelf life remains at 3-5 days. If it was purchased in the refrigerator section, it should remain remain refrigerated.

Wondering which type to buy?
Firm tofu is needed to hold it’s shape for stir-fry while silken tofu is soft and ideal for desserts.

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What are our tofu shelf life resources?

Our tofu shelf life content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and shelf life.

*An important note about expiration dates …

Although the information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion. Please eat responsibly!